Former Bayelsa East Senator and media mogul, Ben Murray-Bruce, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing his admiration for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies and leadership style.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Murray-Bruce described his move as one driven not by political ambition, but by a shared vision for Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“I have known President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu since 1998. I know the man’s mind, his courage, and his conviction. He is not driven by applause, he is driven by results,” Murray-Bruce stated.
The founder of Silverbird Group hailed President Tinubu as a leader who understands the complexities of the Nigerian economy and is taking bold steps to address them.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, we have a President who truly understands finance, who sees the economy not as a political slogan, but as a living organism that must be disciplined, deregulated, and allowed to breathe,” he said.
Announcing his official entry into the APC, Murray-Bruce declared:
“That is why today, I am joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), not for politics, but for progress.”
He expressed confidence that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria would undergo significant economic and infrastructural development, positioning the country for long-term prosperity and global relevance.
“I choose to stand with that vision. I choose to stand with reform. I choose to stand with the future,” he added.
Murray-Bruce also commended the administration’s ongoing reforms, including the deregulation of the petroleum industry and restructuring of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He said these policies were restoring investor confidence and stabilising the naira.
“The painful reforms we face today are the very foundation of tomorrow’s prosperity. We are moving into a free-market economy that rewards hard work and innovation instead of dependency and distortion,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s infrastructural strides, Murray-Bruce pointed to ongoing developments in roads, airports, ports, and housing as evidence of what he called “unprecedented progress.”
He acknowledged that many Nigerians are still facing economic hardship but insisted that the short-term pain is necessary for long-term gain.
“Reform is never painless. Yet, it is in these moments of sacrifice that nations are reborn,” he concluded.
Earlier in May 2025, Murray-Bruce had praised President Tinubu’s decision to begin construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling it a symbol of “visionary leadership.”
